HearingABC.org Q & A

HearingABC.org wants to help you find answers for questions you may have about hearing issues. We invite your questions and we appreciate answers and informative contributions from hearing professionals.

QUESTION: I swim a lot. What can I do to prevent water in the ear after swimming? I use earplugs that I bought online, but they don’t help. The discomfort lasts for hours after swimming. Any suggestions?

ANSWER: You’re on the right track by wearing earplugs but you need them fitted by a hearing professional. This is a common issue for swimmers. If drying your ears after swimming does not provide enough relief, you might want to consider swim plugs. These are custom fitted plugs just for your ears that will do a much better job of keeping the water out. Many swimmers use them and find them comfortable and effective for keeping ears dry. Use the “Find a Hearing Specialist” search feature to connect with a nearby professional hearing specialist, as the swim plugs should be custom fit. 

QUESTION: I’m pretty sure that I need hearing aids but I hear that they are quite expensive and I don’t know if I can afford them. Any suggestions?

ANSWER: There are a wide range of prices and makes and models to choose from. Check with a local hearing aid dispenser and you may be pleasantly surprised. Also, many dispensers provide payment plans that are quite affordable. Your hearing is priceless. Don’t delay. Check it out. 

QUESTION: Is it true that unattended hearing loss gets progressively worse?

ANSWER: Absolutely! Not only is most hearing loss progressive, it can reach a point where it’s too late for assisted hearing devices to be effective. Putting it off can be a serious mistake.